A small boy entered. "H-hai...T-t-taichou..." He wimpered.
He slipped a hand over one of his eyes and knelt before his superior.
"Is something the matter with your face, Hana?" The voice asked.
Hitsugaya peered over a sheet of paper.
Hanatarou pushed his head down. "No! Taichou!"
The captain stood from his chair and went to the kneeling shinigami. "Very well... but the next time you try to escape... I won't be so gentle with you." He whispered, flicking Hanatarou on the nose.
He walked over to a room shrouded by black lace drapes.
"Coming Hana?"
The little boy gave a hesitant grunt of agreement as he crawled after his master.
------------
"Hanatarou?" Unohana asked as she ushered the little boy into the fourth division quarters. "What in blazes happend to you?"
Hanatarou futily tried to keep the bruised side of his face from her.
"O-oh nothing, Taichou... I just... fell over a crack in the tiles outside again." He said, laughing.
"Alright then." She said, resting a hand on his head.
A light blue aura began to pour out around his wound.
The dark purple slowly began to fade as the bruise left him.
"Thank you Unohana-taichou." Hanatarou said softly.
A hug was his relply.
"You're welcome. But please Hanatarou..." She released him slowly. "Try to keep out of trouble"
She handed him a bag and gave his head a pat.
Hanatarou blinked as he examined the bag.
"Ahh...T-taichou... how did you know I'd come to get this?" He asked.
Earlier in the day, he had prepared the bag for his escape. Of course when Hitsugaya had caught him and given him a proper 'punishment' he hadn't had the time to return for it.
Unohana smiled.
"You never go too far without it. I figured that if you were gone this late, you'd be back again to pick up clothes. I also found it cute that you had prepacked everything"
She turned back to the hall.
"Good night Hanatarou."
He bowed as she left.
"Good night Taichou... and thank you."
------------
Hanatarou pushed the door of the tenth division captain's office slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible.
He tiptoed in and set his bag down by the door. Next, moved to re-enter the bedroom that he had managed to slip out of only an hour before.
"Did I give you permission to leave the bed, Hanatarou?"
The boy froze, completely aware of who it was that called out to him.
He turned to Hitsugaya, fear claiming him quickly.
"I-I only left to get my clothes, Taicho..."
His superior silently approached him. Shirtless, pantless and dawning only a pair of white boxers that he purchased in the living world.
He slid his hands around Hanatarou's lowered neck.
"I asked you a simple question... and the answer was no... you did not..."
Hanatarou braced himself for the pain.
There was the sound of something snapping in his ear. And then Hanatarou felt... soft lips meet his neck...
"T...taicho?"
"You were good"
Hitsugaya showed him a broken collar in his hand.
"You could have tried leaving again... Unohana was there... you could have asked her to help you escape"
The piece of leather left his small hand.
"You did something I can't possibly over look..."
"...you returned..."
Hanatarou's eyes widend.
Was Hitsugaya... actually... thanking him? No.
...but it was close enough...
"Follow me Hana..." Hitsugaya called, strolling past him back to the bedroom. "I have no reason to keep that collar on you... it appears that you're untempted with simple escapes"
He turned around and gave his pet a seductive smirk.
"...or maybe you truly desire to be used..."
"H-huh?...hmmm..." Hanatarou blushed, trying to ignore Hitsugaya's taunts.
"In any event... you've earned a gentle night"
The captain ran a hand through his white hair.
"I promise not to bite you..." He yawned, becoming bored. "...at least not too hard"
He looked to the other boy.
"Alright. What are you waiting for... me to carry you? Get in here!" He growled.
Hanatarou blinked, but gave a small smile.
"Yes. Coming Taichou"
He scurried off into the room, snuggling into the satin sheets and making more than enough room for Hitsugaya to lay into.
"Fool"
As the younger entered the bed, he wrapped his arms around his flower's waist, pushing his face into his chest.
"...It's cold in here, I want you closer."
"I could always turn the heat on..." Hanatarou offered, motioning to get out of bed.
"No... I like this better"
Like a child, Hitsugaya kissed Hanatarou's chest and nuzzled him.
"Hana... while I sleep... don't leave..."
Hanatarou nuzzled back.
"I promise Taicho..."
"...I won't."